Access, Navigation and
Stay

Vessels may sail and stay in the coastal seas, rivers and
lakes of the Republic of Croatia if they obtain authorization. Foreign
sport rowing and sailing vessels up to 3 m length, and motor boats up to 3
m length with a motor up to 4 kW may sail and stay in coastal waters,
rivers and lakes without authorization.

Entry by sea in a boat or
yacht

Definition: "boat" is an open sports
boat (e.g. dinghy, a rubber boat) which does not have sleeping facilities.
A "yacht" is a boat with a covered cabin.

If the
owner or master of a foreign vessel wishes to sail and stay in coastal
waters, rivers and lakes, after entering the coastal sea, river or lake he
must take the shortest route to the nearest port or harbor open to
international traffic, register his arrival with the authorized body
in that harbor and apply for authorization to sail.International maritime
boarder crossings:Permanent Umag, Porec, Rovinj,
Pula, Rasa-Brsica, Rijeka, Mali Losinj, Senj, Zadar, Sibenik, Split,
Ploee, Metkovic, Korcula and Dubrovnik. Seasonal (open from 1 April
to 30 October) Novigrad, Sali, Bozava, Ravni Zakanj (Kornati), Ubli
(Lastovo), Komiza (Vis), Vis (Vis) and Hvar.

If upon entering
Croatian waters a vessel cannot reach a port open to international traffic
because of "force majeure", it must register as soon as possible
at the nearest harbourmaster's office or its
branch offices.

A valid passport is required for entering Croatia. West
European citizens can enter the country with just an identity card.
Visitors travelling with passport can stay for up to three months. For a
longer stay, apply to the local authorities. Visitors entering the country
with an identity card can stay for up to 30 days. Engagement in
professional activity in Croatia is subject to official authorization.

Persons who during their stay in Croatia live on board of the
yacht are required, in addition to registering the yacht, at the
harbourmaster’s office, to register with the police. This can be done in a
marina, travel agency, hotel or police station (the relevant information
can be obtained from the harbourmaster’s office). All persons who have
registered with the police are issued with a registration card.

Failure to obtain a registration card can cause difficulties.
(Persons who stay overnight is a hotel or camping ground will be issued
the registration card automatically when checking in at the reception
desk).

The master of a vessel must immediately after landing in a
port or harbour register with the border police or the nearest police
administration or station every person who is on the vessel
without a valid passport. The master of the vessel must not allow
a person without a valid passport to disembark in the port or harbour
without authorization of the border police. If the vessel stopped outside
a border crossing due to higher forces, the master must immediately
register the persons who disembarked and boarded with the nearest police
administration or station. Crew members may not leave the area of the
border crossing before submitting to the stipulated border
control.

Entry by land with boats or
yachts

Water sport craft can be imported into Croatia without
any particular formalities by land, i.e. on a trailer, on the roofrack, in
the luggage boot or in a truck. They just have to be declared at the
border crossing. All water sport craft imported into Croatia which are
longer than 3 meters and all boats with an engine (even under 3 m) can be
used only after they have been registered at a harbourmaster’s
office. See also Transport of
boats

Motor vehicles

The green insurance card is mandatory for entering or
transiting Croatia in a car or truck. Motorists who do not have one must
purchase a temporary third-party insurance policy for Croatia at the
border crossing (even if they have a third-party insurance policy for the
vehicle). The cost of insurance is about 70 DM.

Wide/long vehicles

Vehicles which, with the trailer, are longer than 18 m,
wider than 2,5 m and higher than 4 m, must have a special license in
Croatia. For more information, see section Transport of boats.

Exit by sea

When leaving the Croatian territorial waters, the skipper
must call at a port open to international traffic and go through the
necessary formalities (informing the harbourmaster of his departure). The
yacht must then leave the Croatian territorial waters without delay and by
the shortest route.

Exit by land

Vessels taken out of the country by land, i.e. on a
trailer, roofrack, luggage boot or truck, must be checked out at the
harbourmaster’s office.

Authorization
Issue

The owner or master of a foreign vessel must register
his arrival with the authorized port authority or harbour office by
filling in the form "Registration of arrival and stay of foreign yachts or
boats in the territorial sea and internal waters of the Republic of
Croatia" (Prijava dolaska i boravka strane jahte i brodice u
teritorijalnom moru i unutrasnjim vodama Republike Hrvatske). If the
vessel meets the conditions for arrival and stay, a one-year
authorization can be on the registration form.

General conditions for obtaining
authorization:

Fill in the registration of arrival form- name
and registered number of vessel, length of vessel, state flag of the
country of registration, and name and family name of owner;

Pay navigation security compensation using the
payment slip that is part of the registration of arrival form;

Submit a valid boat certificate issued according
to regulations in the country the boat is registered in;

Submit third-party insurance in accordance with
special law (insurance policy - blue card);

Submit a list of crew members and other persons on the
vessel.

Yachtmaster's
certificate

When navigating in Croatian waters, skippers must have a
yachtmaster’s certificate (or navigation license), issued according to the
regulations pertaining to navigation in similar waters in their country of
origin.

Navigation licenses obtained by foreigners in Croatia are
recognized in Croatia but not in their country of origin.

Licenses
issued by the authorities of the former Yugoslavia have to be reissued by
the competent authority.

Skippers who do not have a yachtmaster’s
certificate (coastal), can be given the navigation test by the
harbourmaster (against payment), in which they will have to prove their
knowledge of rules of the road, meteorology, navigation and seamanship. If
they pass the test, they will be issued with a license, the validity of
which is limited to the duration of their stay in Croatia. (Skippers
who do not possess a navigation license can be prosecuted; moreover, they
may lose their insurance cover in case of an accident.)

Boat Equipment

There are no regulations concerning the equipment of
boats navigating in coastal waters. Foreign yachts must therefore observe
regulations valid in their country of origin.

According to an
earlier regulation, which also obtained for foreign yachts navigating in
Croatian waters, the following equipment was mandatory: an anchor with chain or
rope (at least 30 m long); at least
2 mooring ropes (each at least 10 m long); two oars
or paddles (for small boats); a hand
pump or bucket and dipper; six red
handflares and two boxes of matches or corresponding distress signaling
equipment (in waterproof wrapping); a
rear-view mirror (if pulling a water-skier).

It is advisable to
equip the boat with sufficiently heavy anchors enough to secure and
mooring rope that is long and strong enough to secure the boat in all
weather conditions. It must also be borne in mind that in some ports the
rings and bollards are wide apart, which makes long ropes indispensable.

The first-aid kit should be shacked and renewed every year. In hot
weather, sticking plasters can lose their adhesiveness and medicines their
effectiveness (the expiry date on the package is, as a rule, designed only
for moderate northern latitudes!)

Radio Telephones

For reasons of safety at sea and ease of communication it
is advisable to have a VHF radio telephone on board. The dense network of
radio stations on the Croatian coast makes it possible to establish
contact (if geologically possible) with a land station from all points in
the coastal waters.

Radio equipment may be used only with a
license issued in the owner’s country of origin. Operating a radio station
at sea without a license is regarded by all authorities in the world as
radio piracy. The use of mobile telephones is legal in Croatia. The
international D1 or D2 network can be used.

Navigation security
compensation

Compensation is paid by all foreign yachts or sport and
pleasure boats. Compensation is establish according to type - boat or
yacht - and length of vessel. The amount is quoted in German marks and is
paid in Kunas according to the mean rate of exchange of the National Bank
of Croatia on the day of payment.

Height of compensation

TYPE AND LENGTH OF VESSEL

COMPENSATION

a) Boats

- up to 3 m with motor over 4 kW

40 DM

- from 3 m to 4 m

60 DM

- from 4 m to 5 m

80 DM

- from 5 m to 6 m

100 DM

- over 6 m

110 DM

b) Yachts

- up to 7 m

150 DM

- from 7 m to 8 m

180 DM

- from 8 m to 9 m

210 DM

- from 9 m to 10
m

240 DM

- from 10 m to 11
m

270 DM

- from 11 m to 12
m

300 DM

- from 12 m to 15
m

350 DM

- from 15 m to 20
m

400 DM

- from 20 m to 30
m

450 DM

- over 30 m
length

500 DM

Navigation security compensation
for yachts entered in the Croatian Register of Ships

Yachts owned by foreign citizens which are entered in the
Croatian Register of Ships (or boats entered in the Register of Boats)
must pay 20 DM for sailing in the territory of the Republic of
Croatia.

If a foreign vessel does not have the necessary documents
according to the regulations of its country, it can request inspection
from the port authority or harbour office. Compensation is regulated and
depends on the length of the vessel.

The amounts are quoted in German marks and are paid in
Kunas according to the mean rate of exchange of the National Bank of
Croatia on the day of payment.

Inspection
compensation

TYPE AND
LENGTH OF VESSEL

COMPENSATION

1. Boats

a) for rowing or sailing
without own propulsion

- up to 4 m

15 DM

- from 4 m to 5 m

20 DM

- over 5 m

25 DM

b) with own propulsion

- up to 3 m

15 DM

- from 3 m to 4 m

20 DM

- from 4 m to 5 m

25 DM

- from 5 m to 7 m

30 DM

- from 7 m to 9 m

35 DM

- over 9 m

40 DM

2. Yachts

- up to 7 m

35 DM

- from 7 m to 9 m

40 DM

- from 9 m to 11 m

45 DM

- from 11 m to 15 m

50 DM

- over 15 m

70 DM

Compensation of 20 DM is paid for inspection of a sea
radio station.

Paying demurrage

When a vessel makes use of a port anchorage it pays
demurrage at a reduced rate, to a maximum of one half of that
compensation. Compensation is paid in the port anchorage in which the
corresponding services can be offered. It is not possible to charge in
bays and free anchorage sites where no services are offered.

Currency
regiulation

The official currency in Croatia is the kuna (HRK). The
currency is fully convertible.

The value of the kuna has been,
stable for the past two years. Foreign currency can be exchanged into kuna
in all banks, post offices, marinas, travel agencies and other official
agencies at the same rate throughout the country. Major credit cards are
accepted in many places.

Zones in which
navigation is prohibited

In agreement with the Croatian Navy (HRM), the number and
size of zones in which sailing is prohibited has been greatly decreased.
Although the HRM has not yet officially abolished the former prohibited
zones, everything north of the island of Hvar is considered free for
sailing, except parts of ports that are naval ports and a small number of
prohibited and protected areas.

Prohibited areas and protected
areasI. The area around the Isles of Brijuni
ia s zone in which navigation is prohibited. It is delimited by the
folowing lines: Zone I 1) Rt Barbaren - RT
Kadulja 2) Rt Kadulja - Isle of Supinić Isle of
Supinić - Position A (longitude: 44o 52,6'N latitude:
13o42,2' E) 3) Position A - position B:
(longitude: 44o52,6'N, latitude: 13o45,1'E)
4) Position B - Postion C: (longitude:
44o53,2'N, latitude: 13o46,0'E) 5)
Position C - Rt Kamnik Zone II The south-eastern part of
the Isle of Brijuni within the connecting line Rt Kavran - Rt - Kozlac.

II. Navigation is prohibited in Limski kanal on
the Western coast of Istria because there is a shelifish farm in it. Only
a limited number of excursion boats can navigate in the bay.

III. The largest and best known protected area is
the Kornati National Park, which extends from Prolaz Proversa Vela (south
of the island Dugi Otok) to the southern point of the Isle of
Kornati. All activities that may pollute the sea are strictly
prohibited.

IV. Navigation is prohibited in
several bays because of the fish farms located in them. They are listed in
pilot books and are marked by signs on the shore and on buoys.

V. Under a regulation of the Ministry for
Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications, the following activities
are prohited in the interest of safety of swimmers and navigation:
in
harbours: swimming, speedboating, windsurfing, water sking;
windsurfing in narrow lanes used for commercial shipping;
boats must keep at a distance of at least 50 m from such ships; motorboats
and sailboats must keep at least 50 m swimming outside marked bathing
areas or off the open shore within a distance of more than 100 m;
polluting the sea with plastic, glass and other packaging materials and
rubbish.
speedboats, jet-propelled boats and hovercraft must keep at least 250 m
from the shore and in areas when the navigation of such craft is not
prohibited.

Participation in
Sporting Events

A foreign vessel entering the coastal sea, rivers or
lakes of the Republic of Croatia to take part in sports competitions
does not pay navigation security compensation.

The organizer of the sports event must register a foreign
yacht or foreign boat. The registration term is at least five days
prior to the beginning of the competition. The registration is
submitted to the authorized port authority.

Transport of
boats

General information

When transporting a boat on Croatian roads, bear in
mind that both the Adriatic Highway and roads in the interior of the
country can be rough in places. Is is therefore essential to secure the
boat tightly on the trailer or truck. Another word of caution: the
Adriatic Highway, especially in Velebitski Kanal, is exposed to the bora
and drivers should be prepared for strong susts in windy weather.
Careful driving is therefore highly recommended.

Vehicle size

Driving on Croatian roads without a special
licence is permitted only if the vehicle

is not wider than 2.50 m(including the load)

is not longer than 18 m (including the load and or trailer)

is not higher than 4 m.

Speed limits

Speed limits for cars with trailers in
Croatia:- in bulit-up areas 60 km/h- on country roads 80
km/h- on motorways 80 km/h

Obtaing the license may take quite a long time. It
should not be forgotten that Germany, Austria and Italy may also require a
special license for excess width in the future.

Wintering of Yachts in
Croatia

Privately owned yachts can be left in Croatia for
wintering or repaid for an unlimited period of time with a legal or
natural person registered for this activity (a marina or a private
individual who has obtained the necessary license from the municipal
authorities).

Boat rental
(Charter)

a) Yachts may be hired (chartered) only from registered,
authorized companies, domestic and foreign. It is irrelevant for the
client whether the yacht files the Croatian or a foreign flag. Chartering
yachts for profit without a license issued by the Croatian authorities is
illegal and may have unpleasant consequences for the owner, skipper and
crew.

b) The chartering (renting out) of one or several yachts
against payment is a commercial activity which in Croatia, as in all other
market-oriented countries, is subject to official authorization.
Chartering without such an authorization is considered "lack charter" and
is punishable. Information about legal charter activity can be
obtained from agencies such as marinas.

c) There are lot of of
charter companies in Croatia. Usually they are located in marinas.

Change of Crew

Privately owned yachts can be left in Croatia for
wintering or repaid for an unlimited period of time with a legal or
natural person registered for this activity (a marina or a private
individual who has obtained the necessary license from the municipal
authorities).